Curriculum: Explicit, Implicit, Null

Prior to reading the article, I defined curriculum as the set of standardized outcomes required to meet the learning objectives of a particular subject at a particular level. My first thought on this is that it is a baseline, a minimum.

I found the article enlightening as it highlighted that my gut definition of curriculum focused on what it "is" and not what it "isn't", both in the "implicit" and "null" sense that Eisner talks about in depth in this excerpt. The full picture of the learning happening for a student is not complete without these other elements.

What struck me about the "implicit curriculum" was the frequent nuance behind the points Eisner was making. For example, on page 95 he discusses how the timetable could teach adaptability and skills for context switching, yet on the other hand it could also demotivate students when they feel they don't have the time to be fully engaged with what they're working on. So, these contexts that are often taken for granted or invisible to us are still providing a lesson. It is extra important then to be mindful as to whether the socialization we are teaching is what we actually want to (or should) be teaching.

The "null curriculum" is a powerful influence to be aware of because it is telling students what is deemed worthy of study versus unworthy. This sends a message about what our society values. Looking at the BC curriculum it is encouraging to me to see there is required indigenous-focused content. Yet this requirement is much smaller than many other subjects. It is notable also that the vast majority of requirements focus on language, math, science, and even career education (a topic which did not exist when I went to high school), with less emphasize on physical education and the arts. This is remarkably similar to what Eisner lamented in this excerpt which was originally published in 1979. It is both surprising and not that almost half a century later his words ring true. 

I chose this picture of a river near Whistler because there is a lot more river

hidden behind the rock formations including a partially visible waterfall